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The climb to the top can be tough going -- for anyone.
But as women, there are particular hurdles that can make the journey upward toward positions of power and influence -- in myriad spheres -- especially challenging.
Here, in 50 inspiring quotes, businesswomen, role models, activists, entertainers, authors, politicians and more share their thoughts on leadership and success -- and what exactly those mean to them.
Whether we're forging our own paths or following in the footsteps of those who've gone ahead, these trailblazers, innovators, explorers and disrupters can encourage, motivate and push us to reach new heights -- in business and in life.
50 Motivational Quotes From Disruptive, Trailblazing, Inspiring Women Leaders
One’s philosophy
“One’s philosophy is not best expressed in words; it is expressed in the choices one makes… and the choices we make are ultimately our responsibility.” -- Eleanor Roosevelt, former First Lady
50 Motivational Quotes From Disruptive, Trailblazing, Inspiring Women Leaders
Restore connection
“’Restore connection’ is not just for devices, it is for people too. If we cannot disconnect, we cannot lead. Creating the culture of burnout is opposite to creating a culture of sustainable creativity. This is something that needs to be taught in business schools. This mentality needs to be introduced as a leadership and performance-enhancing tool.” -- Arianna Huffington, Huffington Post
50 Motivational Quotes From Disruptive, Trailblazing, Inspiring Women Leaders
Strategic leaders
"Strategic leaders must not get consumed by the operational and tactical side of their work. They have a duty to find time to shape the future." -- Stephanie S. Mead, CMOE
50 Motivational Quotes From Disruptive, Trailblazing, Inspiring Women Leaders
If your actions create a legacy
“If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then, you are an excellent leader.” -- Dolly Parton, singer-songwriter
50 Motivational Quotes From Disruptive, Trailblazing, Inspiring Women Leaders
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” -- Margaret Mead, cultural anthropologist
50 Motivational Quotes From Disruptive, Trailblazing, Inspiring Women Leaders
My father had a simple tes
“My father had a simple test that helps me measure my own leadership quotient: When you are out of the office, he once asked me, does your staff carry on remarkable well without you?” -- Martha Peak, AMA magazines
50 Motivational Quotes From Disruptive, Trailblazing, Inspiring Women Leaders
A leader takes people where they want to go
"A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don't necessarily want to go, but ought to be." -- Rosalynn Carter, former First Lady
50 Motivational Quotes From Disruptive, Trailblazing, Inspiring Women Leaders
“My philosophy is that not only are you responsible for your life, but doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment.” -- Oprah Winfrey, media proprietor
50 Motivational Quotes From Disruptive, Trailblazing, Inspiring Women Leaders
When one door of happiness closes
“When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.” -- Helen Keller, author
50 Motivational Quotes From Disruptive, Trailblazing, Inspiring Women Leaders
As a leader, it’s a major responsibility
“As a leader, it’s a major responsibility on your shoulders to practice the behavior you want others to follow.” -- Himanshu Bhatia, Rose International Inc.
50 Motivational Quotes From Disruptive, Trailblazing, Inspiring Women Leaders
I am endlessly fascinated
“I am endlessly fascinated that playing football is considered a training ground for leadership, but raising children isn’t.” -- Dee Dee Myers, former White House Press Secretary
50 Motivational Quotes From Disruptive, Trailblazing, Inspiring Women Leaders
Good leaders organize
“Good leaders organize and align people around what the team needs to do. Great leaders motivate and inspire people with why they’re doing it. That’s purpose. And that’s the key to achieving something truly transformational.” -- Marillyn Hewson, Lockheed Martin
50 Motivational Quotes From Disruptive, Trailblazing, Inspiring Women Leaders
I just love bossy women
“I just love bossy women. I could be around them all day. To me, bossy is not a pejorative term at all. It means somebody’s passionate and engaged and ambitious and doesn’t mind leading.” -- Amy Poehler, actress
50 Motivational Quotes From Disruptive, Trailblazing, Inspiring Women Leaders
Presenting leadership as a list
“Presenting leadership as a list of carefully defined qualities (like strategic, analytical and performance-oriented) no longer holds. Instead, true leadership stems from individuality that is honestly and sometimes imperfectly expressed… Leaders should strive for authenticity over perfection.” -- Sheryl Sandberg, COO Facebook
50 Motivational Quotes From Disruptive, Trailblazing, Inspiring Women Leaders
True leaders understand that leadership is not
“True leaders understand that leadership is not about them but about those they serve. It is not about exalting themselves but about lifting others up.” -- Sheri L. Dew, author
50 Motivational Quotes From Disruptive, Trailblazing, Inspiring Women Leaders
Do not wait for leaders; do it alone,
“Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person. Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.” -- Mother Teresa, religious sister
50 Motivational Quotes From Disruptive, Trailblazing, Inspiring Women Leaders
Is there a better quality in a leader than humility
“Is there a better quality in a leader than humility when he might soon be granted enormous power to do good for his country and the world -- or harm?” -- Jane Fletcher Geniesse, author
50 Motivational Quotes From Disruptive, Trailblazing, Inspiring Women Leaders
Leadership is hard to define
“Leadership is hard to define and good leadership even harder. But if you can get people to follow you to the ends of the earth, you are a great leader.” -- Indra Nooyi, PepsiCo
50 Motivational Quotes From Disruptive, Trailblazing, Inspiring Women Leaders
You have to look at leadership through the eyes of the followers
“You have to look at leadership through the eyes of the followers and you have to live the message. What I have learned is that people become motivated when you guide them to the source of their own power and when you make heroes out of employees who personify what you want to see in the organization.” -- Anita Roddick, businesswoman
50 Motivational Quotes From Disruptive, Trailblazing, Inspiring Women Leaders
I always did something I was a little not ready to do
“I always did something I was a little not ready to do. I think that’s how you grow. When there’s that moment of ‘Wow, I’m not really sure I can do this,’ and you push through those moments, that’s when you have a breakthrough.” -- Marissa Mayer, Yahoo
50 Motivational Quotes From Disruptive, Trailblazing, Inspiring Women Leaders
I work really hard at trying to see the big picture
“I work really hard at trying to see the big picture and not getting stuck in ego. I believe we’re all put on this planet for a purpose, and we all have a different purpose… When you connect with that love and that compassion, that’s when everything unfolds.” -- Ellen DeGeneres, comedian
50 Motivational Quotes From Disruptive, Trailblazing, Inspiring Women Leaders
“Don’t be intimidated by what you don’t know. That can be your greatest strength and ensure that you do things differently from everyone else.” -- Sara Blakely, Spanx
50 Motivational Quotes From Disruptive, Trailblazing, Inspiring Women Leaders
Sometimes you can gradually improve things
“Sometimes you can gradually improve things. But sometimes, they don’t work, and you’ve just got to just say: Let’s grind this baby to a halt.” -- Abigail Johnson, Fidelity Investments
50 Motivational Quotes From Disruptive, Trailblazing, Inspiring Women Leaders
If this is something that you really want to do
“If this is something that you really want to do, if you believe in it … simply keep forging forward because success will come.” -- Cassandra Sanford, KellyMitchell Group
50 Motivational Quotes From Disruptive, Trailblazing, Inspiring Women Leaders
No country can ever truly flourish
“No country can ever truly flourish if it stifles the potential of its women and deprives itself of the contributions of half of its citizens.” -- Michelle Obama, First Lady of the United States
50 Motivational Quotes From Disruptive, Trailblazing, Inspiring Women Leaders
Leadership is not about men in suits
“Leadership is not about men in suits. It is a way of life for those who know who they are and are willing to be their best to create the life they want to live.” -- Kathleen Schafer, Leadership Connection
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“I never dreamed about success. I worked for it.” -- Estée Lauder, Estée Lauder companies
“If one is lucky, a solitary fantasy can totally transform one million realities.” -- Maya Angelou, author
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” -- Margaret Mead, cultural anthropologist
“Leadership is a series of behaviors rather than a role for heroes.” -- Margaret Wheatley, writer
“We treat our people like royalty. If you honor and serve the people who work for you, they will honor and serve you.” -- Mary Kay Ash, Mary Kay
“My philosophy is that not only are you responsible for your life, but doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment.” -- Oprah Winfrey, media proprietor
“Surround yourself with a trusted and loyal team. It makes all the difference.” -- Alison Pincus, One Kings Lane
“I learned to always take on things I’d never done before. Growth and comfort do not coexist.” -- Ginni Rometty, IBM
“Don’t be intimidated by what you don’t know. That can be your greatest strength and ensure that you do things differently from everyone else.” -- Sara Blakely, Spanx
“It is our choices, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” -- J.K Rowling, author
